Smart Folders can be very handy—for more ways than you think. Many of you have probably noticed them in Mail, but there’s a second way Smart Folders can be used. In OS 10.5, you can utilize them as follows:
- As an all-encompassing Folder in Mail
- As a Saved Search in the Finder
Here’s why you’ll want to use them in Mail:
- When you put something in a Smart Folder, it does not actually move the email to that folder—it merely groups the items you want to see.
- You can change the rules at any time to tweak the settings of what you want to see.
Here’s how:
- In Mail, click the “+” button at the bottom on the lefthand column.
- Select “New Smart Mailbox…”
- Name your Mailbox and set your preferences using the modifiable fields.
Here’s why you’ll want to use them in Finder:
- Smart Folders are basically a shortcut to your favorite searches; each Smart Folder is actually a compilation of a saved search.
Here’s how:
- In the Finder, select “New Smart Folder” from the File menu (or hit Option-Command-N).
- This will open a window for you to search for the desired files in the Search Panel.
- Tweak the settings by clicking the choices of “Contents” or “File Name” and/or applying rules (click the “+” button next to Save to see these).
All-in-all, Smart Folders don’t get as much visibility as merely adding a conventional new folder because they seem complicated. Don’t ignore them any longer! Play around a bit with them, and see what you can do. With the right preferences, I think you’ll find them to be a fast and effective archiving and searching tool for your Mac!